We are Square One Community Inc. Moose Jaw, a non-profit organization established in 2021. Our mandate is to reduce homelessness in Moose Jaw. Through our own work and assisting other local groups, we are making a difference in our city by supporting those in need.
Square One Community held our Annual General Meeting on March 30, 2022. The Annual Report 2021 can be accessed through our Facebook page or by emailing [email protected]. At the meeting, we welcomed new board members, highlighted the accomplishments of our organization since its inception, and briefly outlined upcoming plans.
Currently, there is no shelter for women in Moose Jaw who are homeless or housing insecure. Because of this, Square One Community Inc. is focusing on developing a model for a much-needed low barrier emergency women’s shelter. Our work is to meet individuals wherever they are on their journey and provide services and programs that lead them to housing stability. Jenn Angus of Transition House (see video information below) speaks with great concern about the gap in housing availability for Moose Jaw women: because of the specific mandate of Transition House, at least once weekly, they get calls from women they cannot support, and who require what Square One is working towards.
To encourage the public’s involvement through information, Square One’s chairperson Della Ferguson has been interviewing community members about the available local services for those who are housing insecure. These info-bite features are posted on our Facebook page, or you can access them online. Jenn Angus (Transition House): https://youtu.be/qMbk01zuEpg; Ashley Florent (Square One Community Coordinator): https://youtu.be/gGUm82TjAxs; Cheantelle Fisher (MJ Food Bank Client Resource Representative): https://youtu.be/U1Nj3ZH6NLk. More interviews will follow. Contact [email protected] for information or to access these important messages.
Square One Community is looking forward to continued and new activities and fundraising events over the next months.
Thank-you to Dream Drop Design, 50 Stadacona St. W., who had an Open House in May, with 10% of all plant sales going to Square One.
We will be at the Wakamow Farmers Market on all Saturdays in June, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Stop by and learn more about Square One Community Inc., and purchase some unique items.
Watch for the donation boxes for Square One that have been set up at various local businesses. Thank-you to Greg Therens for building the boxes, and to Veroba’s Restaurant for their support these past weeks.
We are registered at Sarcan’s Drop & Go for bottle and can donations. You can go to 50 Manitoba St. E, enter Square One Community on the computer screen, and follow the directions to support our projects with your recyclable donations.
Thank-you to John Latridis and his staff at Mad Greek who supported our successful “May the Fourth Be With You” Rib Night fundraiser on May 4th. We are grateful to all of you who purchased tickets for these meals.
Thanks also to those who donated to and who attended the May 20 Garage Sale. All-Purpose Storage: we are so grateful to you for providing space for Square One for the sale and for continued storage of clothing and household goods that we plan to provide to those in need.
Looking to get involved in your community but not sure where to start?
In partnership with the Moose Jaw Public Library, Square One Community Inc. is pleased to offer the Community Volunteer Bank: a one-stop-shop for volunteer opportunities within Moose Jaw and area. If your organization is looking for volunteers, visit www.moosejawlibrary.ca/volunteer to post your listing.
A Square One Community website is coming soon! For more information about Square One Community Inc., find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SquareOneCommunityMJ), on Instagram (communitysquareone) or reach out to [email protected].
Article submitted by Lynn Kirk, board member of Square One Community Inc.
